Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 157140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
With the creeping Seattle chill and incessant rains moving in last week, we took off for a breather in Kona. I don’t think either of us are eager to relive memories of Troy every time the sky rips open and pours like that dark, stormy night.
It takes time to get over, even though the maniac’s trial was brief and he’ll be spending his days behind bars.
This time, it’s a different air in Hawaii, lighter than before.
Maybe because she’s only here as my girlfriend now.
I find her sitting on the bamboo couch outside, sipping a fragrant coffee and playing on her phone.
“Let’s go for a walk on the beach,” I say.
“Okay! Let me get ready.”
I snort. “You need to get ready for a walk?”
“Yeah, I want to bring some things with me.”
“What do you need to bring to the beach?” I glare at her. “It better not be another damn brew pipe. You know I love your quirks, sweetheart, but that thing—”
“Cole, don’t worry about it. Just stuff.” Her eyes shine, cryptic as ever.
I sigh affectionately.
“Woman, no amount of time I spend with you ever prepares me for your randomness, does it?”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” she teases, craning her neck to gaze up at me.
“It’s a thing. Good or bad, I don’t care. You know there’s nobody I’d rather spend time with.” I tilt her chin up with my fingers for a kiss.
“Ew!” I don’t see her until she moves. Destiny stands behind the couch to the side, just out of Eliza’s sight. She makes a face like she’s gagging. “Guys, get a room. How much time do you need to get ready for the beach, anyway?”
“About twenty minutes or so,” Eliza says. “And sorry-not sorry, you wanted this too, Dess. The cost of having me around is seeing your dad make kissy faces.”
I nod, biting back a laugh. “Go on, get the hell ready, so we can get out of here.”
Destiny gives me an awkward thumbs-up. Pain in the ass or not, she’s a little more grown-up every day.
When Eliza leaves the room, she asks, “How far are you walking?”
“We’ll make the rounds. Probably stop where you found your turtles before,” I tell her. “It’s almost whale season. If we’re lucky, there might be a couple humpbacks showing up early.”
“Oh, wow!” For a second, I think she’ll insist on coming with, but then she remembers. “Right. So, what are you gonna say to her? Did you practice?”
“I’ll improvise, Dess,” I say tightly.
“Daaad, don’t tell me you’re unprepared?” She sighs and facepalms. “This is going to end really well...”
“Destiny, you’re in luck. I don’t need your help with this part.”
She rolls her eyes. “Then why’d you ask for it, Romeo?”
“I don’t need your help with the logistics, I mean. Just your approval.” I smile warmly, remembering our conversation yesterday while Eliza was out by herself exploring the coffee farms.
She damn near tackled me like an overactive puppy when it was over.
“Way to get specific, Dad. But good luck.” Destiny stomps off, muttering to herself.
“Hey, hold up. You’re still—”
She spins around on one heel. “Why? You said you don’t need my help.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it. Some things a man has to do without his meddling daughter.”
She laughs. “Fine. I’ll be there when you’re ready, Daddy. Don’t worry.”
Shit.
This is really happening, isn’t it?
What will I say? I only snapped at her because I still don’t know.
Where do you start when you’re asking for forever?
Fool.
On second thought, maybe I should have let Destiny help with this part...
I’m about to race after her when Eliza walks in, stunning as ever in a strapless island dress and long chestnut-brown tresses framing her bright face.
She has a matching bag thrown over her shoulder.
My throat goes tight.
Her round tits are almost spilling out, making my tongue ache to taste them.
“Forget the walk. You’re more beautiful than any view out there,” I say gruffly.
She grins. “Thanks, brown-noser. I just want to be comfy at the beach.”
Fuck, this woman.
The only thing that would be more comfortable for us both is if she was wearing nothing. It’s a good thing Hawaiian law prevents me from making a small part of this shore my own private nudist beach.
“Right. Let’s go.” I offer her my hand.
She closes the space between us, locking her warm fingers in mine. “Should we ask if Destiny wants to come?”
“No. She’s working on her TikTok channel. She’s still got at least a dozen seal videos to upload from the week before we left,” I say.
“Adorable,” Eliza says with a laugh.
I lead her downstairs and outside, then through the evergreen trail bursting with emerald-green all the way to the sparkling sands.
“Gotta admit, it’s been an interesting three months,” I say.
She smiles, releasing a content sigh. “The best three months of my life, you mean. But we had some good times before we became official, too.”